In calculating the volume of a partially-filled horizontal cylindrical tank which has ends similar to spherical caps, how do you calculate the volume of a partially-filled spherical cap (from the side of a sphere?)??

The cylinder I have solved, and the volume of a full spherical cap has been easy to find but the partial volume of the cap ends is tough.

This has been so hard for me to find information on, so I hope someone here has an idea!

Just like that, only rotated in x or z axis by 90 degrees so that the cylinder is in a horizontal position. The end is not hemispherical, but is the cap of a sphere with approximately double the diameter.

March 5th 2009, 08:52 AM

mateoc15

Quote:

Originally Posted by babryce

The end is not hemispherical

Yikes... This one is ugly! Do you know the radius of that arc shape? Is it even a radius or is maybe part of an elliptical shape (even uglier)? If so I may have a way to find it, but I won't explain until I know whether it's radial.

I guess the end caps put together could be called a squashed sphere or a "spheroid ovoid" .. There are many english sweets this shape but I don't know the names of any american candy for comparison. Anyway, it's circular in 1 axis, ovoid in 2 axes. Split in half down the circular face and stuck on the end of a horizontal cylinder.

That link looks like just the job, I've just got to pick it to pieces so I know that I can trust it now!

March 5th 2009, 09:39 AM

mateoc15

Wow... unfortunately I really have no idea how to help you...

Just an idea about how to think of it... think of it as two separate shapes. One is the cylinder. The other is the merged end caps (which would have a shape similar to an American football). I don't know if that makes it any easier or not. Sorry I couldn't be more help!